Veteran reliever Adam Ottavino a 'huge mentor' to young Red Sox pitchers
The Red Sox brought back right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino on Tuesday, agreeing to a minor league deal that included an invite to spring training. If Ottavino makes the Red Sox’ roster, he will earn $2 million this season.
The 39-year-old has the option to opt out of his deal if he fails to make the Opening Day roster and test free agency again.
With Ottavino back in the fold, the veteran will work to compete for a spot in the Red Sox bullpen. During his first stint with Boston, Ottavino served as a mentor for young pitchers like Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock.
Both players are now established with the Red Sox, Houck as one of the anchors in the rotation and Whitlock as a key piece for the bullpen. Whitlock shared his excitement with reporters that Ottavino was back in camp.
“He was such a huge mentor,” Whitlock said Tuesday to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “When he texted me tonight, ‘See you tomorrow,’ it was a great thing. I was so happy to have him back. Happy to see his face. He’s just an amazing teammate, an amazing veteran, an amazing presence. I was all smiles when I got here this morning.”
In Ottavino’s one season with the Red Sox, he pitched in 69 games in 2021, appearing in 69 games, the most out of any reliever on the team that season. The righty posted a 7-3 record and a 4.21 ERA while also converting 11 saves, which was a career high for him at the time.
Ottavino saw time on the mound in the postseason in 2021, tossing one inning against the Rays in the ALDS and then made four appearances in the ALCS against the Astros. He gave up just one run in three innings of work against Houston.
It won’t be an easy road to winning a job in the Red Sox bullpen. The Red Sox have more depth and competition in camp than in recent years. Boston has Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson, and Whitlock as all options to break camp with the team. Others will have an opportunity to compete with Ottavino for a spot, including Brennan Bernardino, Luis Guerrero, Zack Kelly, Zach Penrod, Greg Weissert, Josh Winckowski, and non-roster options Austin Adams, Isaiah Campbell, Michael Fulmer, Bryan Mata, Wyatt Mills, and Jovani Moran.
“Just be myself, show that I’m a useful guy to bring up north, and that I can help the team win,” Ottavino said.
